Thursday, October 1, 2015

UNB Rallies Past Pirates

UPDATE: The Pirates have posted a game recap while Jeff Mannix talks with Portland Assistant Coach Scott Allen about the game.

The University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds erased three one goal deficits on their way to a 5-3 victory over the AHL's Portland Pirates tonight in Saco, Maine. It marks the first time the V-Reds have beaten the Pirates in four tries.

Since there was no video or audio available for the game we had to once again turn to the Twitter-verse for updates. Fortunately Pirates commentator Jeff Mannix was all over it, tweeting updates all night.

- The two teams each scored twice in the 1st period. The Pirates struck first 7:12 into the game only to see Cameron Brace (Willick, Boudens) answer shortly afterwards. At 11:35 the Pirates re-gained the lead, but 4 and a half minutes later Brace (Critchlow, Wall) once again tied it. Shots in the period favoured UNB 10-6.

- The Pirates came out much stronger in the middle frame and were rewarded with a power play goal at 11:08 to take their 3rd lead of the night. It would prove to be the only goal of the period as Portland held a 15-9 advantage in shots on goal.

- Despite being out-shot 12-7 in the 3rd period the V-Reds scored the only three goals. Dylan Willick (unassisted) squared the game at 3 just 1:47 into the period and then, just over two minutes later, Philippe Halley (Maillet, Trainor) finished off a 2-on-1 to give UNB their first lead of the night. Philippe Maillet (Murray, Willick) rounded out the scoring with a 5-on-3 power play goal at 7:17.

- Shots in the game were 33-26 for Portland.

- After being the top affiliate of the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes since 2011, the Pirates are now affiliated with the the Florida Panthers.

- Tyler Carroll seen his first game action of the year, replacing Stephen Anderson in the line-up.

- The teams played a full 5 minute 3-on-3 overtime after regulation. Former 1st round NHL draft pick Michael Matheson scored the lone goal for Portland shortly after Maillet missed on a clean breakaway.

- Etienne Marcoux played the first two periods in goal and stopped 18 out of the 21 shots he faced. Alex Dubeau played the 3rd period and overtime.

- Portland beat UNB 4-2 in 2009, 2-1 in a shootout in 2012, and 4-0 in 2013.

- The V-Reds continue their road trip with a date against the NCAA's Boston College Eagles on Saturday night in Boston. The Eagles were just ranked #1 in the USCHO.com pre-season poll. Game time is scheduled for 8PM.